They Used Me, I Exposed Their Act

Chapter 4

Ethan was fuming.

He didn't say a single word to me the entire episode. Instead, he clung to Camilla, hamming it up in all the games together like they were the star pair of the show.

This was all his petty little ploy to make me jealous, of course. He wanted me kicking myself for turning down his stupid proposal just a little while earlier.

Joke's on him, though. I was having the time of my life messing around with the cute young rookie on the cast too. By the end of filming, his mouth was twisted so hard with rage he looked like he'd just chewed on a whole lemon.

Once the cameras cut for good, the whole cast started packing up their things to head out for the night.

All of a sudden, we heard soft sniffling coming from the studio entrance. Camilla was standing there sobbing her eyes out, someone had punctured one of the tires of her nanny van.

Ethan cooed at her in that soft, fake-nice voice of his for a minute, then announced he'd drive her home first.

Camilla batted her eyelashes at him, her voice all sweet and syrupy. "You're the best, Ethan! But… won't Sophia be mad? Maybe I should just wait for the company to send another car. I don't want to cause trouble."

Before I could even open my mouth to reply, the other guests piled on, laying the schmooze on thick, setting her up for a fall if she buys into it.

"C'mon, you're gonna be the next A-lister! Of course, we should drive you! When you blow up, you've gotta remember us little people, okay?"

Camilla puffed out her chest so obviously you could practically see the smugness rolling off her.

I kept my tone perfectly even, no emotion in it at all. "We'll drop you off at the company first."

But that wasn't enough for her. She tilted her head at me, still putting on that innocent act.

"Sophia, I always sit in the front passenger seat. Would you mind letting me have it this time?"

Our eyes clashed right there midair. She tried to play it cool, but that triumphant little spark in her gaze was impossible to hide.

"I'll let you have it," I said slowly, "but do you dare sit there?"

Camilla's eyes immediately welled up with tears, her lower lip trembling.

"I'm sorry, Sophia. I know I'm out of line, I shouldn't have asked… it's all my fault…"

Ethan was still petty as hell over me rejecting his proposal, and he jumped at the chance to take a jab at me.

"C'mon, Sophia, it's not like you need to pick on a total rookie, yeah?"

Camilla dabbed at her tears. "Ethan, don't fight with Sophia over me. It's only right that newbies put up with a little unfair treatment."

Just then, a sleek, flashy sports car purred to a stop right outside the studio entrance.

"Adrian!"

The whole crowd burst into commotion the second someone yelled out his name.

Adrian was the youngest three-time Best Actor winner in the industry, with a career so bright it was practically blinding.

He walked straight up to Camilla. "Camilla, get in the car. I'll take you back."

Camilla's eyes went wide with shock and delight. "You know who I am?"

"I really like your songs," Adrian said casually, but Camilla looked like she was about to float off the ground with joy.

Ethan stepped in to block them, his voice tight with thinly veiled irritation.

"Adrian, what's your deal? Sneaking behind my back to steal my endorsements was bad enough, now you're poaching artists from my company?"

Adrian didn't even bother acknowledging him. He just turned and walked away with Camilla.

Ethan spat out a curse. He'd been acting all high and mighty, ready to stand up for her just a minute ago.

But the second Adrian showed up, she'd completely forgotten he even existed.

Total clown move.

My coworker leaned over, voice tight with worry. "When did Camilla get mixed up with Adrian? If he's got her back, this is gonna get real messy for us."

Unlike the rest of the team, I was too busy savoring Ethan's frustrated, defeated expression to panic.

"Relax," I said calmly, "Adrian's part of the plan."